Here is how Facebook helps you know if your loved ones in Paris are safe

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[/blockquote]As the horrific events unfolded in Paris last night on “Friday the 13th”,  Facebook has activated its “Safety Check” feature for the area: This feature was launched  last year to allow people in disaster areas let their friends and loved ones know whether or not they are OK with the death toll now at 153. This comes 19 days before Paris hosts a huge summit of over 90 heads of state. The country has now sealed off its boarders and declared a state of emergency.

To use the tool to mark whether you are safe, or to check on friends in Paris, visit its Paris Terror Attacks page. Users will also get notifications when new friends mark themselves as safe. A Facebook representative says that the site has activated the tool five times in the past year after natural disasters, but that this is the first time it’s had to use it for this kind of situation.

See how the Facebook tool looks like on mobile below

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“We are shocked and saddened by the events unfolding in Paris,” a representative said. “Communication is critical in these moments both for people there and for their friends and families anxious for news.”